Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Wastes ❯ Chapter Thirty Eight ( Chapter 38 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Skyla finally got Maven to the bed room. She had carried him the whole way and was doing her best not to cause him any pain. Once he was in his own bed, she propped him up with pillows and smiled as she sat in front of him. "There."

"Thanks," he said softly. He was starting to be able to form complete words now.

"How...are you feeling?"

He frowned. "Weak. Confused. Slow. Hard to....think."

"But...you know who I am right?"

He nodded. "I know you in...fra...fra...." He stopped and closed his eyes, having to focus. "Fragments."

She sighed. "Yes...I knew that..." she whispered. She then smiled. "But don't worry. Everything is in your head. I put it there perfectly. It will just take it time to make sense. I'll be patient."

He nodded. "Thank you."

"Do you know...that I love you?"

He looked confused for a moment. "What?"

She just smiled and pushed his hair from his face. "It's alright. You'll remember soon." Leaning over she brushed her lips against his forehead.

He looked up as he felt her lips leave his forehead. He looked down at his hand, willing it to move. Slowly his fingers curled. She couldn't help herself. She wanted more. Slowly her lips moved over his cheek and jaw. He hesitated as her lips moved over more. What was she doing?

Slowly she pulled back, forcing herself to.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "It's been such a long time...since you and I were...the way we were before they took us," she said sadly. "It's been a very lonely few weeks..."

"I'm...sorry?"

"Don't. It's a little empty coming from you." She stood and offered him a smiled. "I'm going to fix you something else to eat and see if you can get it down. I'll be back in a bit."

He nodded. He waited until after she was gone before he slowly started to curl his fingers once more. He could almost move his hands. Even so, moving his fingers felt weird to him. It was as if he knew how they should feel, but it felt like he was controlling them from outside his body.

Skyla came back with a tray in her hands and another tray floating in the air behind her. She sat down on the bed and placed a tray in his lap and pulled the other one from the air.
"I...didn't know what you wanted...so I brought a little over everything. See anything that looks good? Sorry there is no meat...I can't cook an animal..."

"The water," he said, his finger stretching and pointing toward the glass of water.

Skyla grabbed it and brought it to his lips.
"I'm glad you are moving a bit. But...be careful...you could end up using you power to move instead of your actual body." She flicked her hand and Zenith flew in the window as the window opened. "Careful, Zenith. He's shaken up and things aren't too clear, ok?"

Zenith didn't seem to pay attention. She flew right in front of his face, fluttering there as she pecked his nose happily.

Maven's eyes widened as she flew in front of him. He felt his heart jump and suddenly everything in the room was sent flying away from him. The force of the shockwave shook his insides, his heart skipping a beat, causing him to gasp and wince in pain.

"Zenith!" Skyla screamed. "Get out!" she moved her hand back and Zenith flew out the window. She closed the window. Standing, she moved her hands about, things flying in their normal places.She looked at the food with a sigh. "Darn...now I have to clean it..." Grabbing a towel she started cleaning the mess. "Just take deep breaths, Maven. It will help. Trust me."

Xavier knocked on the door. "Was that my good china I just heard shattering?"

"Yes," she said. "I'll pay for it, I promise. I knew it was going to happen I had just hoped I could stop it before it did. That stupid bird," she groaned as she cleaned. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright. It's just plates and cups. Nothing worth fretting over. How is he doing?"

"Bad," he muttered as he closed his eyes.

"Oh! You can talk now. That's wonderful."

"He's chest hurts, that's obvious. And...he doesn't remember me much..." she said softly after finishing the cleaning.

"That's to be expected. His body was dead and I did sort of cut out his organs. That wasn't the best idea since I brought him back. There was only so much I can do for them. Give it a few days when his body gets back accustomed to being alive and he should be his normal self. More or less."

"Yes, I know," she said. "I'll be back." She carried the trays back to the kitchen and started fixing more food.

He pulled out a syringe and tapped it before moving to Maven.
"This should help boost your recovery," he told him. "Just try to relax, and please keep your powers in check. You can barely move, much less use your powers properly. You could end up forcing your heart out through your throat."

Skyla came back in with yet another tray. She smiled and brought the water back to Maven's lips. "One more try."

Maven swallowed the water slowly, almost hesitantly. He took a tiny sip and waited. Nothing happened. He smiled when he realized that he was able to keep it down.

"Much better. Want to try something solid now?"

He shook his head slowly.

"In my opinion he should eat through a straw for at least a week," Xavier said with a smile. "But for now I'll leave you kids be. I need to finish deleting some stuff on my computer."

"Xavier," Skyla said before he left. "The diary will keep her warm at night. No more boogie man," she said but didn't take her eyes off Maven as she brought soup to his mouth.

He stopped and nodded.
"I'm glad." With that he went back to his office.

Skyla smiled at Maven.
"Don't worry, it's just broth. Nothing you have to chew. It's just so your stomach won't feel so empty."

He didn't argue. The broth tasted good and felt good, so he would enjoy what he could eat and keep down.

Skyla smiled.
"I'm so happy...you are here," she whispered.

"Yes. We should all be so lucky," Boris said, his voice holding a chilling effect as he stood in the doorway.

Skyla put the spoon down in the bowl and stood.
"You do not want to upset him or me, Boris..." she said softly. "I know what you are feeling right now and I'm sorry... But nothing you do and nothing I say will fix things."

Boris's hands fisted, the door knob crushing beneath it. "My daughter could have been brought back. My daughter! She had never hurt a thing. He murdered hundreds. Why should my daughter remain dead while he gets not a second chance at alife, but a third!?"

"Do you want me to show you the life your daughter would have if she was brought back? Do you have any idea what kind of pain she would be in!? I've seen it, Boris! I've seen her being eaten away by infection, crying for you to stop the pain! Begging for you to make it stop, calling out for her Mommy who isn't there! I saw her die in six months and in those months she was in more pain than you can ever imagine! Do you want to see it, Boris!?! Do you want to see what I see!? What I live with!?" When he didn't answer she screamed. "Answer me!"

Boris's eyes widened. In two steps he was in front of her. "I would have taken six months with her over anything. I would trade anyone's life for that of my daughter. You think that you know everything because of your powers. Because you can see the future...but you don't know anything!"

Skyla looked at him, her eyes hard. "You would rather her being in utter pain for six months just so you could see her again? You would let her suffer for personal reasons?"

"I would do anything for my daughter!" he yelled.

She took a deep breath.
"Bringing her back for pain isn't what is best for her and you know it! You are just saying this because you miss her so much! If you really saw her in pain, your heart wouldn't be able to take it! You would never forgive yourself!"

Boris growled and shook his head. "Just...shut up." He turned away from her, his hands trembling with rage as he started for the door.

"You will thank me one day..." she said softly.

"No. I won't."

She said nothing. She shut the door the best she could with the knob now gone. Her movements were slow.

"Why...was he upset?"

"You will understand in a few days..." she said softly and broken.

He nodded slowly, very confused as to what was going on.

Boris went outside, growling as he grabbed a large stone. His fingers pushed into the rock as he tossed it into the air.

The next morning Maven wasn't better, but he was growing stronger. He couldmove his arms now, and could talk in complete sentences.
"Zenith," he said softly as she sat on his lap staring up at him. He gently stroked her face and head with a smile.

Skyla hadn't slept at all, but she didn't stay with Maven. She stayed on the other side of the house sitting in an empty room on the floor crying. After bring those things up with Boris, all she could see was his daughter crying. She tried thinking of someone else’s future, like Lana's, but still...it always came back to Sasha. So she laid there on the floor in the empty room on the other side of the house and did the only thing she could do. Erasing her memory wasn't a choice and now that she had control over her powers, she couldn't stop herself from seeing multiple futures. No matter how hard she tried, they just kept flooding in like a curse.

"Here's some coffee," Sven offered as he stared down at her.

"You...don't have to be nice to me," she whispered. "I know...everyone thinks very little of me." She didn't move from the floor and she didn't look up at him.

"I'm just glad that for once I'm not the most unpopular person here. Drink the coffee. At least it will give you some energy."

"I'm sorry...I don't drink coffee...just tea and water..." she whispered. "But...thank you for the gesture."

He nodded and started drinking it himself. "So you're bummed because of Boris's little girl?"

"The future in general...I once believe I was gifted. I once thought I was blessed...I think it is safe to say I was very stupid then."

"Naivety of youth. Most call it a curse, but I think it's a blessing."

"So happy you are amused."

"Not amused, curious perhaps. You hate knowing what is going to happen, right? Well, what do you think is going to happen when Maven finds out he was brought back instead of Boris's precious Sasha."

"I already know...like I said...no one is very fond of me. He...will resent me..." She closed her eyes, letting the tears roll down her face.

"Personally I'm indifferent to this. It sucks about Boris's kid. Yeah, but I can't blame you for your decision. You wanted him back. Everyone has something they'd kill for. Something they'd sacrifice for. So no. I can't blame or resent you for what you did."

"I didn't do it for me. Yes, it's a wonderful bonus even if he leaves me, but there is something he will do...something that will change the whole outcome of the world. He has to live for the greater good. Of course, I could tell everyone that and it wouldn't change a thing. It won't even change after he does it. I will never get thanked...I will never be forgiven. It's my burden to bear."

"Say what you will. I think you're not giving everyone enough credit." He shrugged. "But I can't see into the future so I don't know."

"Lucky you."

"Yeah. Seems that your power sucks. Is there any way you can...stop?"

"Die."

"Huh. Have you talked to Xavier about it? He created you guys. Maybe he has some way to retard your powers."

"What good will it do? I've already seen so much. I already know so much." She paused. "I know it's a lot to ask but can you check on Maven for me? Just see if he's still breathing. Though I know he is...I just like to be reassured."

"Not to point out the obvious, but with all you can do couldn't you block out your memories; and if you're concerned why don't you go check on him?"

"He will ask a bunch of questions when I show up there and if I do the blocking thing, I will have to go back into the state I was in when we came back from the mission before the last. It's a very long, very tiresome process..."

"Better than then having you like this."

Skyla sat up slowly. Looking at the wall, her head slowly fell. "In two days...Maven will remember everything...Before he wakes up, I'll go under and try to create some blocks. I really don't think I could take the look on his face when he realizes I brought him back and not Boris's little girl...I've seen it enough times anyways." Slowly, she stood. "I'll let Hailey get everything set up for it. But because of that, I won't be going with you guys to collect the first missing piece of the A.R.K."

"I think that's a reasonable trade." He reached for a cigarette and put it to his lips. His hands fidgeted with his lighter. "Uh...if I smoke this will I get caught?"

"Yes. By Evana," she said.

"On a scale of one to ten how bad will it be?"

"Broken arm. And your jaw is going to be pretty messed up. Hailey will have to wire it shut to make the bone heal right."

He looked at the cigarette and sighed. "Fuck me."

She couldn't help but smile. "There is so much...I wish I could tell you." Wiping her eyes, she patted his shoulder and walked out.

Sven just shook his head as she left.
"Yeah, well just give me some numbers for Vegas and we'll call it even."

Skyla first went to Hailey and talked to her about getting things set up for her in two days. Of course Hailey found this exciting but promised to keep her secret. She then went to Maven's room. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped in. "Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

"A little thirsty," he admitted with a smile. "But nothing too bad."

She nodded. Leaving for a few minutes, she came back with some water for him. Sitting on the bed she handed it to him.

"How...have you been?"He asked as he took a few small sips.

"Fine, thank you," she said with a smile. She pushed his hair from his face.

Something about that action made him smile.
"Everything is still a little...fuzzy and hard to understand. I...died. Didn't I?"

"Yes..." she whispered. "In two days everything will be clear. Though...you will not enjoy my company as much."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't worry about it right now. Right now, I need to ask you to do something for me."

"Of course. What is it?"

"Will you hold me? Just...for a little while?"

That was an odd request, but he couldn't refuse her. "If you want me to."

She slowly moved to him. Snuggling close to his body she buried her face in his chest. His cheeks flushed as she buried her face against his bare chest. Slowly his arms moved to wrap around her and held her against him.

For a moment, she didn't think she was going to cry, but she did. The tears washed over his chest as she clung to him.
"I'm...sorry...please don't let go. Just a little bit longer."

He hesitated as he felt her tears stain his chest. "Why are you crying?"

"Because...I'm going to miss you so very much. I'm going to think about you all the time...and...nothing will ever compare to you..." she whispered.

He felt his heart beat start to race. Why did these words mean something to him.
"Why will you miss me? Am I going somewhere?"

"No...just...in two days...everything will make sense. But one day...one day you will understand why I wanted you back. One day you will understand why it's so important for you to be alive," she said softly.

"I don't...understand." He shook his head. It was starting to hurt now.

"Don't think about it, ok? Just be patient. Don't think about it until two days from now."

"Okay. I won't," he promised.

She nodded against him. Her fingers danced over his skin.
"I love you, Maven. With all my heart."

The next two days, Skyla spent talking to Maven and laughing with him. Eventually the time came when Maven would remember. She woke early that morning. Lana set an alarm and woke Hailey. The three of them went to Lana's old room and Skyla laid down as Hailey put the IV in and the feeding tub. Hailey sniffled. "Don't cry...I'll wake up in a week and a half. Don't worry," Skyla said and pushed Hailey's curls behind her ears. Skyla pouted but nodded.

"I don't want to go on the mission without you," she said softly.

"Boris has been scaring you, hasn't he?" Hailey nodded. Skyla held her arms open and Hailey crawled in her lap. "Remember what Nanny Doc said about broken hearts? About how you have to try really hard to help fix them?" She nodded slowly. "Well, Boris has a very big heart so when it breaks...it breaks in lots and lots of pieces. He needs you to take care of him. He needs you to be strong." She stroked Hailey's hair. "Even grownups need someone to watch them."

"I...have to take care of Teddy?"

"Yes, because he needs it. Because his heart is broken." Hailey nodded. "Doc would be so proud of you." She smiled, kissing Skyla on the cheek she ran off to bed. Skyla looked at Lana. "Please, tell Maverick to watch Boris and Maven. Tell him that it's imperative that he look after them very closely. Make sure he knows that Hailey is the only one...that can stop Boris. And it will take more than one pin."

Lana sat down on the bed. "You know I'm not going, don't you?" She nodded. "Maverick says there aren't enough bottles filled with breast milk to leave Angelia yet." Skyla patted her hand. "I'll move your arms and legs for circulation and keep you company every now and then...You are going to need a friend when Maven...when Maven..."

"I'll be ok..." Skyla whispered. Laying back on the bed, she took a deep breath. "I'll see you in a week." Lana nodded and hugged her then walked out. Skla closed her eyes and slipped deeply into her mind.

Maven didn't wake up with a start or a scream. He woke up calmly and slowly. His head hurt, but for good reason. He was alive. He knew that, and now it seemed that his entire body knew it as well. Turning over, he placed his feet on the ground and stood. His movements were still slightly unsteady, but by the end of the day he should be good as new. Going to the bathroom, he paused as he stared at himself in the mirror. Zenith was on his shoulder, but something was different this time around. His eyes were there normal color. He felt.... He didn't know how he felt. Closing his eyes, his body started to sway back and forth slowly as if he was lost in a trance. He winced as he held his head. The final pieces were coming together just as she had predicted. Zenith started to caw loudly, and he fell to the ground as his memories over took him. The glass shattered, the shards flying about him as objects spun and ripped from their spots. He yelled and growled...and then all at once everything stopped. Grabbing hold of the sink for support, he stood and slowly got up on shaking legs. Shaking his head, he quickly leaned over and threw up. He remembered. He remembered everything.


"Fuck....no,"
he whispered. He didn't bother to fully compose himself before he started down to hall to Skyla's room. He bumped into walls as he walked, his feet not steady. "Skyla?"

Lana looked at him, her face softening. She was about to walk back into Maverick's door, but when she heard Maven, she knew she had to go to him. Walking over to him, she bit her lip. "Maven?"